National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo: "Gyeonggi Southern International Airport Construction Will Be 'Win-Win' for Suwon and Hwaseong"

[Suwon Ilbo=Reporter Jung Jun-seong] National Assembly Speaker Kim Jin-pyo said, "If the Gyeonggi Southern International Airport is constructed, infrastructure such as highways, railways, and airport satellite cities will be expanded in the southwestern region of Hwaseong City, and a 'Korean Silicon Valley' can be built on the former military airport site to create more than 100,000 jobs."

Speaker Kim, serving as a communication lecturer at the 'September Suwon City Executive Meeting' held on the 30th in the Suwon City Hall conference room, added, "The southern Gyeonggi region is a massive economic living zone with a population of 7.6 million, but residents are experiencing inconvenience due to the lack of a nearby international airport," and emphasized, "Moreover, high-value companies such as Samsung, LG, and SK Hynix are concentrated in southern Gyeonggi, and an international airport is absolutely necessary for smooth transportation of export goods."

He further predicted, "By connecting with the planned Hwaseong International Theme Park, Gyeongpyeong Port, Korean Folk Village, Everland, Hwaseong Fortress, and Namhansanseong through tourism, the Gyeonggi Southern International Airport can be operated as a 'profitable airport.'"

He proposed fostering strategic advanced industries on the former military site that would serve as a foundation for Korea to advance as a leading nation by creating a 'Korean Silicon Valley.'

Speaker Kim said, "A world-class 'semiconductor cluster' has been formed near the former site with research and development complexes of Samsung Electronics and SK Hynix, and pharmaceutical and biotech companies and research institutes such as Hyungnam Pharmaceutical Industrial Complex and SD Biosensor are densely concentrated," and expressed confidence that "the construction of a Korean Silicon Valley will serve as a catalyst for Korea to leap forward as a leader in the semiconductor and bio industries."

Additionally, he stated, "Beyond the former site, we can attract global advanced companies by utilizing nearby state and public land," and predicted, "If we attract world-class companies with advanced technologies in fields such as ICT (information and communications technology), biotech, and space development, we can create more than 100,000 high-quality jobs from some 1,000 companies within 10 years."

Speaker Kim said, "When establishing the Incheon Free Economic Zone, it was necessary to enact legislation similar to the 'Special Act on Designation and Operation of Economic Free Zones,' and we need to appoint a 'Director General of Advanced Research Industrial Complex Construction' at ministerial level to secure implementation power."

He added, "If the area around the former site between Suwon City and Hwaseong City becomes an advanced research industrial complex, both Suwon City and Hwaseong City can achieve a 'win-win.'"

Suwon Special Metropolitan City Mayor Lee Jae-jun said, "If Speaker Kim Jin-pyo's ideas are realized, Suwon City and Hwaseong City will be able to achieve mutual and sustainable development," and added, "We will make efforts so that Suwon City and Hwaseong City can develop together."